AMA calls on Health Ministers to get mandatory reporting laws right
The AMA warned State and Territory Health Ministers last week that the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Amendment (Tranche 1A) Bill introduced to the Queensland Parliament, must not be a second-best solution that may not protect the health of doctors.
The AMA has called for amendments to make the new national laws safe enough to give doctors confidence to seek help for their own health needs. The AMA called for these amendments as the Ministers refused to adopt the current successful and workable Western Australia laws, which will remain in place regardless of the COAG action.
“Mandatory reporting affects every doctor, their families, their loved ones, their colleagues …and their patients,” AMA President Dr Tony Bartone said.
“Our doctors desperately need legislation that does not actively discourage them from seeking medical treatment when they need it. Doctors are patients too. They should have the same rights to access confidential high-quality medical treatment as their own patients and all other Australians do.”
Read the AMA’s submission on mandatory reporting here.
Read AMA media here.
